Art Arter a A Arter Adelbert Arter Lock Haven Wwi
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WENDY STIVER/THE Express Shawn Knickerbocker, center, told stories from his years every bit a airplane pilot in Iraq, Transitional islamic state of afghanistan and with U.Southward. Customs at the annual Wing-In lunch hosted by Lock Haven Kiwanis. He is seen with wife Connie and Fly-In volunteer Cal Arter.
LOCK Haven — Shawn Knickerbocker, formerly of the U.Due south. Department of Homeland Security — Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau, drew in audiences with thrilling stories of chasing drug smugglers and protecting snipers, like Chris Kyle, during his speech at the Kiwanis tiffin Th.
Knickerbocker spoke to a crowd of more than thirty people at the annual Sentimental Journey Fly-In luncheon hosted by the Lock Haven Kiwanis Gild and held in the Piper Aviation Museum hangar. Kiwanians included at least one visitor from out of state. Also attending were members of the three local Rotary clubs and the Lions order.
Knickerbocker and his wife, Connie, were special guests at the luncheon, where Knickerbocker'south speech communication was the chief characteristic. Food, drinks, and other refreshments were provided by Jim Gregory. The pop song trio The Lindy Sisters entertained with several selections, including the national anthem.
It's safe to say that with 50 years of flying nether his belt, working with U.S. Customs and interim as a pilot examiner with the Federal Aviation Administration, Knickerbocker knows what he's talking near when it comes to aviation — a perfect invitee speaker for a luncheon held during the annual Fly-In week.
Knickerbocker grew upwards in Miami, surrounded by family friends who were involved in aviation and who sparked his interest in the field from a young age.
"I'thou an aviator. Pilots go to work and button buttons and come habitation. Aviators go to piece of work and push button buttons, come up home and fly even more. Information technology's a profession just like a md and lawyer," he said.
He started out in the U.South. Army as a warrant officer, then eventually became a cab airplane pilot. Knickerbocker started working for U.S. Customs in the 1980s.
"I did over 28 years chasing drug smugglers, working in Central and S America, and the Caribbean," he said.
His wild stories of pursuing drug smugglers sparked smashing interest from the audience, inciting gasps and even some chuckles.
"We've had some interesting times… the drug smugglers were very artistic. They would have an aeroplane, take all the seats out, and they would go a water bed inside and fill it up with fuel, so they'd take an extra 200 gallons," Knickerbocker said.
"So they would put all the drugs on peak of the waterbed to create pressure, and when they got low on fuel they'd open the valve and make full the wing tanks. Some of these guys were flying 15 to xviii hours," he explained.
Knickerbocker and his team chased some smugglers from Houston, Texas as far n as Niagara Falls in Canada.
After retiring from U.S. Community at the age of 50, in 2004, Knickerbocker decided to expand his aviation career further.
"I worked for a special contractor, in Iraq and Transitional islamic state of afghanistan. We really flew the war machine shipping — we were the only contractors that did that," he recounted.
He and his team did what they called "I.S.R" — intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, working with Navy SEALs and special ops, Knickerbocker said.
"We flew overhead and assisted them with any support they needed, to protect the pilots. The pilots then protected the guys on the basis," he said.
One of those men on the ground that Knickerbocker protected was Chris Kyle, U.S. Navy SEAL veteran and sniper, the discipline of the pic "American Sniper."
Knickerbocker connected working with the special contractor for a year, until 2013.
Now, he mainly is a pilot examiner, and commissions pilot students for their certificates.
Knickerbocker wanted to brand clear the importance of encouraging younger generations to become involved in flying.
"Children are the hereafter of the world and of aviation. When we become to airports and wing-ins, nosotros ever want to see more young people. It's just an honor to have an opportunity to train and evaluate them," he said.
If you lot are interested in hearing Shawn Knickerbocker'south exciting stories yourself, he will exist speaking again at the Sentimental Journey Fly-In Awards Banquet at 5 p.g. Saturday in the blueish vendor edifice.
Source: https://www.lockhaven.com/news/local-news/2018/06/shawn-knickerbocker-thrills-audience-at-luncheon/
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